Andrew Tyrie comments on Supreme Court rendition judgment

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17 January 2017

"Today’s ruling takes the public a step closer to the truth about Britain’s role in extraordinary rendition – the programme of kidnap and torture developed during the Bush administration, and facilitated by the UK Government."

"The courts have rejected the arguments that could have allowed British officials to break the law with impunity so long as they were working with other countries. Excuses about embarrassing the UK’s allies can no longer be used to obstruct the job of getting to the truth. The Supreme Court has now, in the strongest terms, condemned the practice of rendition as contrary to fundamental British rights. That is very good news.

The risk now is that the new laws on secret hearings – in the Justice and Security Act – could nonetheless thwart efforts to get to the truth, and undermine the ability of the courts to demonstrate that justice is being done. It would be bad for British justice if most of this case ends up buried in closed material procedures.

President-elect Trump has said that he will bring back torture, including waterboarding. So today’s ruling is all the more important. It is essential to find out the extent of Britain’s involvement. Only by doing so can we improve the chances that Britain won’t be dragged into this again."